I'm a big Nicholas Sparks fan, so I may be somewhat biased as I review this book. THE WEDDING is the sequel to THE NOTEBOOK, the love story of Noah and Allie: a love that almost didn't happen. Now, in THE WEDDING, we meet the next two generations of family members, and a somewhat complex story is told.

Noah is now living at Creekside, where he and Allie had moved toward the end of her life. He spends his time feeding a lone female swan, distinguished by a dark patch of color on her chest. Noah feels that this is Allie come back to him, and his children feel that he's lost touch with the world. Noah, however, never gives up on his theory and insists that it is his dear beloved wife.

Noah and Allie's oldest daughter, Jane, is married to Wilson Lewis. They've been married for nearly 30 years and have raised three children, all of whom are now adults. Jane and Wilson's story is told in flashbacks, as Wilson remembers what brought him and Jane together all those years ago. The reason for his reflections, though, is that he knows Jane is very unhappy with their marriage. So unhappy, that she leaves town for a few weeks to spend with their son Joseph. She doesn't say exactly why she left, but Wilson knows she needs to get away to think things over.

In the meantime, their oldest daughter Anna has announced that she and her boyfriend Keith plan to be married in a few weeks. She doesn't want anything fancy, and plans to marry at the justice of the peace. However, this is not what Jane wants for her daughter. Suddenly, Jane shows a new interest in life, and with the help of Wilson the two of them proceed to organize the best wedding any daughter ever had.

As the wedding plans take shape, Wilson keeps Noah up to date. During their visits, Wilson notes how Noah dotes on the swan, talking to her and sharing his thoughts with her. A few odd events almost convince Wilson that maybe this is indeed Allie reborn, but he always keeps these thoughts to himself. And all through these visits, Noah reminisces about his wife, while Wilson remembers his own first love Jane.

The title THE WEDDING is misleading, but this was Sparks' intention. Yes, the entire book is about the family getting ready for the big wedding, but the reader will realize by the end of the book that the story is much more than just THE WEDDING. The ending will surprise you, as it surprised some of the characters in the book. The story of the swan helps round out this tale of eternal love and may turn even the most cynical of persons into a romantic.

36 of 39 found the following review helpful:


Another great one from Sparks  Jan 02, 2004
I started reading The Wedding the day that it arrived in the mail. I was finished by the next evening. I couldn't put it down for long. I'd cook...read...clean up...read...put my 3 year old to bed...read. My husband and I have fallen into the same type of rut that Wilson and Jane had fallen into in the beginning of the book. It has given me hope and encouragement. I have already started my new year's diet, and working on making myself closer to the person that he married. Not just weight wise, but being more attentive to him. The story was great. I saw the lady's review that said his books are all the same. That's what I like about Sparks. I know that when I pick up his books, I will laugh, cry, and finish the book with something to think about. Marriage is work. It is not easy and Sparks reminds us of that. Great book!!!

65 of 80 found the following review helpful:


A Challenge  Nov 05, 2003 By Kathy Williams
I still remember the exact spot where I was standing in my home when I read the final pages of The Notebook. I had to hide from my kids because I was crying so hard! And I can say the same thing about Nicholas' earlier books - Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember.

But then I noticed that Nicholas' books were gradually becoming tired and repetitive. I hated to admit it because I love his writing so much and I think he's a great guy. He was really the first author I found who could touch me emotionally in a very real way without his novels being filled with junk. And so I've stayed loyal to him, but I feel as his fans that we need to challenge him more.

All the stories are beginning to sound alike. And for the first time, with The Wedding, I didn't feel anything for the characters. I tried to because I want to have that excitement again of picking up a Sparks novel and getting sucked into it and feeling something deeply for 250 pages.

But it's not there anymore. And so rather than continue to simply applaud Nicholas for his efforts, I think we need to tell him that we expect more. He's making millions of dollars on every novel and if you were honest with yourself and picked up this book and didn't know it was by Nicholas, you'd struggle through it. And I'm afraid to say it but I think maybe he used the whole Notebook tie-in with Noah and Allie just to sell books because I didn't see how it was relevant to this story.

So I want to challenge my favorite author to perhaps pick a different setting, something that will help him write passionately again so we can feel the characters and the magic.

And I want to challenge my fellow Sparks fans to try some other authors who write with that passion and with an intensely human feel to their writing such as Richard Paul Evans and Kirk Martin. Check out richardpaulevans.com and kirkmartinbooks.com and see if you can feel that moving, personal human touch that first captivated you with Nicholas' work. If you don't absolutely love their novels, I would be shocked.

And Nicholas, please, please take your time with the next novel and let us feel the passion again!

10 of 10 found the following review helpful:


Fabulous Sequel!  Jul 14, 2006 By a reviewer in Seattle
I loved this sequel to The Notebook ... maybe loved it even more! I "read" the audio version, expertly read with great emotion & character by Tom Wopat. This story picks up with the children of Allie and Noah. Noah is now residing in a retirement center. This is the story of Noah's daughter Jane and her husband Wilson. Their marriage is in trouble. He's forgotten their anniversary and it's just the way their marriage has been going lately... he's been neglecting Jane and the family for years. With a bit of advise and encouragement from Noah, he decides he must save his marriage. He loves his wife desperately... just doesn't know how to show or say it. He has a plan.... it will take the next year to carry it out. This book will warm you all over and I guarantee you'll never look at a swan the same way again!! I give this book a full 5 starz! JMHO //(*_*)\\

7 of 7 found the following review helpful:


Sparks is only getting better!  Apr 25, 2007 By Theresa W
I have been reading Sparks since The Notebook was written, and have read his books faithfully since. I have added his books to my library shelf and have not been disappointed yet! The Wedding is no exception, and I am beginning to think that Sparks is only getting better with experience and age.

The Wedding is about a marriage that's on the rocks, not from any major event that has happened, but moreover from erosion of dedication and communication over time. And as the couple is nearing their 30th wedding anniversary, the question of whether they will spend the next 30 years of their lives together looms heavily over their heads.

I think this story is one many of us can relate to, even if we are not in similar circumstances, it may be something we have seen our friends or parents go through, or something we fear for ourselves down the road. For me, this book was a welcome reminder that a marriage takes work and dedication and that no matter what else is going on in your life, you can always infuse a little romance! Which, of course in traditional Sparks style, he does!

I enjoyed this book because it was very well written, at times I felt it was poetic in sharing sentiments. I also loved how the story was weaved together and how it was brought to a wonderful ending. Plus, the romantic side of me was not disappointed at all either! If you haven't read Sparks, I highly recommend picking up a book of his to try, in addition to being great stories, the are all easy reads and at usually around 300 or so pages, not super time consuming as well.

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